The Mets delivered a positive update on Clay Holmes as the right-hander looks to return to the team.
Interim manager Andy Green told the media prior to Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto that Holmes is set to throw a bullpen session this week.
"He’s progressing well. Love to say he’s ahead of schedule, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself and actually make that kind of declaration," Green said. "It’s going well and we’re encouraged by that. He should get on a mound in the next couple of days and then we’ll figure out what the next step is after that."
Holmes suffered a fractured fibula after taking a line drive to his leg against the Yankees back in May. While still weeks away, the latest update on Holmes, as Green said, is encouraging for a few reasons. If Holmes can return to the team sooner than expected, it boosts a starting rotation that has struggled to find consistency.
It also provides the Mets a potential trade piece ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline. In nine starts, Holmes pitched to a 2.39 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP while consistently going deep into games. He was arguably the Mets' best starter this season and could help a team looking to bolster their rotation for the second half and a potential playoff run.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 16: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during warm ups before the game against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on March 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Austin Reaves has improved every year and is a wonderful success story not just for the Lakers, but for every undrafted player.
This makes Reaves a max player and the clear No. 2 for the franchise. Retaining him was always the best-case scenario, but did they nail the contract?
For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we ask fans if the Lakers got the signing right when you look beyond the sticker price.
With reports indicating the Pistons were interested in offering Reaves a deal, perhaps all that matters is re-signing him and whatever that number ended up at is fine. After all, he is a max-level player and even if the ideal contract would be more team-friendly, players at Reaves’ level usually get paid what they want.
So, if that’s how fans are feeling, grading this as an A or a B is fair.
However, if you are skeptical that Reaves can truly be the No.2 without LeBron James on the Lakers to carry him when he falls, then maybe the deal isn’t one you like.
Not only did Reaves get a max contract, but he also has a player option for the final year. So, if it turns out he’s on a bad deal, he’ll likely opt in that summer, and LA will be stuck with the estimated $51.1 million bill. If he outplays that contract, he can opt out and get an even larger raise with the Lakers or another team.
It’s an interesting conversation, and we won’t actually know if it was a good contract for a couple of years. But what are your initial thoughts? Let us know by answering the poll above and leaving a comment below.
Jun 20, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez (61) enters the field before the game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Jun 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A fan wears a baseball helmet during a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Texas Rangers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 25: Bubba Chandler (36) of the Pittsburgh Pirates walks to the dugout after being relieved during a MLB game against the Seattle Mariners on June 25, 2026 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies, June 30, 2026, 6:40 p.m. ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates are fresh off of a big comeback victory against the Philadelphia Phillies to start their three-game set in Citizens Bank Park. The Pirates trailed 5-0 after the third inning, but a pair of runs in the fourth and a run in the fifth gave the Pirates the lead for good. The Phillies responded with two runs in the eighth inning, but the Bucks put three insurance runs on the board in the ninth, which was enough to give them an 11-7 victory.
The Pirates will look for their third straight win, starting Bubba Chandler on the mound. Chandler pitched 5.1 innings yesterday, allowing five hits and an earned run in his last start on June 25 against the Seattle Mariners at home.
Meanwhile, the Phillies are starting Christopher Sanchez, the left-handed ace who has been tremendous for the Phillies this season, going 9-3 with a 2.13 ERA. Sanchez is coming off the shortest outing of his season from his last start against the Washington Nationals on June 25. He only pitched five innings, giving up seven hits and five earned runs. He left the game trailing 5-0, but the Phillies rallied in the second half, scoring 10 in the final four innings to capture a victory.
After seven seasons in Los Angeles, Kawhi Leonard is headed back to the city where he won his second NBA title. With the Clippers reportedly unwilling to pay him the full two-year max extension that he was eligible for, Leonard has been traded to the Toronto Raptors. Headed in the other direction are Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a pick swap and two second-round picks.
Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors has been agreed to, sources tell ESPN. The Clippers will receive unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, 2030 and 2033 second-round picks and a 2027 first-round swap. https://t.co/q6uJuC8LxX
After Miami acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Raptors became the second Eastern Conference team to make a significant change to its roster in hopes of contending next season. Meanwhile, the Clippers move forward with a core that's likely to be led by Ingram and Darius Garland. Let's take a look at the fantasy fallout from the most recent major trade in the NBA.
Toronto receives:
Kawhi Leonard
When healthy, Leonard is one of the best all-around players in the NBA. However, since leaving Toronto after the 2019 NBA championship, staying on the floor has been a challenge. He played 57 games or less in four of his seven seasons in Los Angeles, including missing the entire 2021-22 campaign with a knee injury.
However, he has played at least 65 games in two of his last three seasons. 2025-26 ranked among the best of Leonard's career, as he averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 2.6 three-pointers while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 89.2 percent from the foul line. Add in a 38.7 percent mark from three, and Leonard was not far off from a 50/40/90 season.
His production from a season ago is likely to boost Leonard's ADP considerably, after many managers waited until the third or fourth round in standard league drafts to select him last fall.
As for how his return to Toronto affects the other fantasy mainstays on the roster, Leonard had a considerably higher usage (33.5) than Ingram did with the Raptors last season (26.9). That may not significantly affect Scottie Barnes, who remains a cornerstone, but Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett bear watching.
Quickley's superior three-point shooting to Barrett may give him a better chance of preserving his fantasy value next season. Also, does Ja'Kobe Walter see his opportunities take a hit after a promising end to his second NBA season? That won't change much regarding how he's viewed in dynasty leagues, but the redraft league value may take a hit.
LA Clippers receive:
Brandon Ingram Gradey Dick Two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033) One pick swap (2027) Two second-round picks (2030 and 2033)
In the short term, Ingram finds himself in a situation where he should be an offensive focal point alongside Darius Garland. However, given his injury history and current contract, it's fair to have some questions about Ingram's long-term fit with the Clippers. He's coming off a season in which he surpassed 70 regular-season games for the second time in his career, but heel surgery sidelined him for most of the playoff series against the Cavaliers.
In 77 games, Ingram averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.8 three-pointers while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 82.0 percent from the foul line. In eight-cat formats, his production aligned with his ADP (61), so there wasn't much for fantasy managers to complain about. However, while the move to Los Angeles and last season's production may convince some to reach for Ingram earlier in drafts, the injury history may prevent others from doing the same.
Leonard's exit raises Garland's fantasy ceiling, provided he remains healthy. Bennedict Mathurin, who is a free agent, is another player whose points league value could benefit with a return to the Clippers. As for Gradey Dick, a change of scenery may do him some good after he offered limited production for most of his three seasons in Toronto. His best year in Toronto, 2024-25, was one in which the Raptors were hit hard by injuries. Unless he has a monster preseason, the trade won't change his outlook in fantasy drafts.
The biggest long-term winner in this deal may be rookie Keaton Wagler, whether he projects to play on or off the ball as his career progresses. The Clippers may not go all-in on a rebuild right now, but a realistic look at the Western Conference means that they moved closer to the lottery than to title contention with Tuesday's trade.
And it should be noted that, thanks to the Paul George trade, Oklahoma City can swap 2027 first-round picks with the Clippers.
The Lakers weren't the only team shifting the NBA landscape today. Right alongside the massive LeBron James fallout across town, the Clippers completely shook up the NBA championship odds by shipping Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto for a highly anticipated second stint with the Raptors.
While the Clippers reload with Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and a hefty haul of future draft picks, Toronto resets its deck for an all-out title push. By leaning back into their 2019 championship blueprint, the Raptors are injecting instant drama into the Eastern Conference hierarchy, laying down a direct challenge to the New York Knicks.
Despite that aspect, this move has increased the Raptors' NBA championship odds to 6% (+1566), but where does that slot them among other contenders?
At 35 years old, Kawhi’s degenerative knee issues and chronic ankle sprains mean his availability is a permanent question mark. Even though he’s coming off a highly productive All-NBA campaign with the Clippers (averaging 27.9 PPG in 65 games), history shows he requires intensive load management just to make it to April intact.
Kawhi is entering the final year of his contract, carrying a massive $50.3 million cap hit. He is reportedly seeking a long-term contract extension beyond this season — something the Clippers refused to offer. Giving up premium foundational assets like Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and multiple draft picks for an aging, injury-prone superstar on an expiring contract could easily backfire if his health falters.
But rumors indicate that Leonard is highly receptive to the move and is open to signing an extension that would allow him to finish his career where he won his second Finals MVP. Returning to Canada wouldn't just be a temporary rental like 2018; it would be a definitive commitment to play out his remaining elite years and retire in a Raptors uniform.
"This is a real, balance-of-power shifting trade. This is the first major transaction that has changed the balance of power."@WindhorstESPN says the Raptors are ready to contend after trading for Kawhi Leonard 👀 pic.twitter.com/KYLK0IPNri
Kawhi Leonard gives Toronto a terrifyingly well-rounded core alongside Quickley, Barrett, and Barnes. Throw in the versatility of sophomore breakout Collin Murray-Boyles at small-ball center, and the Raptors instantly position themselves to hunt for a top seed in the East.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
It did not seem to matter what the Pirates ran out against Phillies left-handed ace Cristopher Sánchez on Tuesday night.
And if it was not already clear, Sánchez has a strong handle on Pittsburgh’s offense.
He was going to bounce back after his rough outing last week in Washington.
Forty-five days ago, Sánchez was in the midst of one of the most dominant scoreless stretches by any pitcher in recent history. He threw a complete-game shutout against the Pirates on a sunny afternoon at PNC Park, striking out 13 without a walk.
Pittsburgh had three left-handed hitters in the lineup that day. They went 0-for-8.
A month and a half later, the Pirates loaded up with nine right-handed hitters against Sánchez. It did not change much.
The left-hander flirted with untouchable over seven scoreless innings, leading the Phillies to a 8-0 win after an ugly series opener Monday night.
Typically, a pitcher facing a team for the second time in a short span has to adjust once the lineup turns over. Sánchez had to do that Tuesday against Don Kelly’s exclusively right-handed lineup.
The caveat: Sánchez operates with three primary pitches.
He again leaned heavily on his changeup, but he made a notable adjustment with his slider.
Sánchez had thrown his slider to right-handed hitters only 16.1 percent of the time this season entering Tuesday. That number climbed to 20 percent.
It worked.
Of the 17 sliders Sánchez threw, 13 drew swings. Eight produced whiffs. Four ended in strikeouts. That was a 62 percent whiff rate, nearly double the pitch’s mark entering the night.
And he did it while dealing with a blister, or cut, on the top of his left thumb. That did not seem to matter, either.
As the game moved along and the Pirates’ order turned over for a third time, Sánchez leaned on his old reliable.
His changeup, arguably one of the most devastating pitches in baseball, took over. He threw it 62 percent of the time and recorded four of his nine strikeouts with it.
Sánchez finished with 23 swings and misses, the first time a Phillies pitcher had recorded at least 23 in a game since Statcast tracking began in 2009.
In two starts this season against the other Pennsylvania club, Sánchez has struck out 23 without allowing a run over 16 innings.
Tuesday’s outing also matched Jacob deGrom’s 24-game streak allowing two or fewer earned runs at home, the longest such run at one ballpark since 1913.
Sánchez’s ERA now sits at 2.00, three points lower than Zack Wheeler’s. The last time the Phillies had two starters (min. 10 starts) with an ERA of 2.05 or lower through June of a season was 1916 — Grover Alexander (1.65, 18 GS) & Eppa Rixey (1.91, 10 GS).
110 years ago.
His start, paired with a sharp night behind him, was the recipe the Phillies needed.
Alec Bohm made two diving plays that likely saved extra-base hits and possible runs. He robbed Henry Davis in the third, then took away another likely run-scoring hit from the speedy Konnor Griffin in the fifth.
The third baseman also made a running stop and strong throw in the seventh.
Bryce Harper added two impressive plays at first base. Bryson Stott made another sliding stop that nearly turned into an out.
Entering Tuesday, the Phillies’ infield ranked seventh-worst in outs above average at minus-14. Their minus-26 defensive runs saved ranked second-worst in baseball.
For one night, they looked nothing like those numbers.
They arguably saved the day.
The offense helped, too.
Justin Crawford had two hits, but his second-inning at-bat may have been the most important of the game.
Bubba Chandler attacked Crawford in the area that has troubled him lately: fastballs at the top of the zone, particularly triple-digit ones.
Crawford hung in.
After six straight fastballs, Chandler tried to finish the at-bat with a breaking ball nearly a ball and a half off the plate. Crawford stayed back and sent it on the ground down the left-field line.
His new setup, with lower hands and a no-stride approach, helped him stay through the ball and take the breaking pitch the other way.
Crawford finished with three hits. He is quietly batting .306 over his last 30 games and .362 over his last 15.
The Phillies added three more runs in the seventh, and then three more in the eighth, thanks to another Crawford run-scoring hit and a Trea Turner, the birthday boy, two-run shot to stretch their lead to eight.
A dominant win for the Phils, who are now three games back of the first-place Atlanta Braves.
Robert Williams III #35 of the Portland Trail Blazers plays defense against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Blazers are keeping their big man.
Center Robert Williams III is staying in Portland, agreeing to a three-year, $44 million extension to remain with the Trail Blazers, ESPN reported Tuesday.
The extension will keep him in Portland through the 2028-29 season.
Williams, 28, has dealt with injury issues throughout his career, having only played over 50 games in a season three times. This past season, Williams played in 59 games and appeared in all five of Portland’s first-round playoff games against San Antonio.
Robert Williams III of the Portland Trail Blazers plays defense against the San Antonio Spurs. NBAE via Getty Images
He averaged 6.7 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 blocks this season and shot over 70 percent from the floor.
Williams has been one of the best rim protectors in the NBA for much of his career, despite his injury history. For his career, he has a 72 percent field goal percentage and has averaged 1.6 blocks per game.
Even before this season, Williams had extensive postseason experience. He spent the first five years of his career in Boston and made six starts in the 2022 NBA Finals, where the Celtics fell to the Warriors.
Rumors had been flying around that Boston would be interested in a potential reunion with Williams, but after making their desire to keep Williams clear, the Blazers locked him down for the next three years.
Alongside Williams, centers Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen are under contract and will return to Portland next season.
Portland has been active this offseason. Last week, it hired former Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori to be its next head coach, replacing interim coach Tiago Splitter after he was hired by Chicago.
The Blazers also reportedly agreed to trade Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis in exchange for Ja Morant.
Jun 2, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jhoan Duran (59) celebrates win after striking out San Diego Padres left fielder Jase Bowen (4) (not pictured) to end the game in the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Sometimes, a team realizes that they need to keep a player around, thus engaging them in contract extension talks. The Phillies do have several candidates for such an offer if they so choose, even with the CBA negotiations looming over every piece of business the team has. The question becomes, who gets one first?
Brandon Marsh has had a breakout season for everyone to recognize, even if we have seen this before in last year’s hot hitting after his ice cold start. Marsh’s case for an extension is helped by the fact that they have almost nothing in the way of prospects pushing him out the door once he is first able to leave, thus their need for an outfielder that can actually produce.
Jhoan Duran has been as lockdown as a closer can get since his trade to the team, placing his importance right in the top tier of the team’s needs. Try to imagine the bullpen without him. It isn’t pretty.
Alec Bohm’s case for getting an extension is probably strengthened by the fact that we aren’t totally sure what to expect of Aidan Miller and his suddenly suspect health. An extension for him is probably something along the lines of a short term deal to make sure Miller actually has a chance to play healthy at first, productive second.
So, let’s pose the question: who would be the candidate to get an extension first among these mentioned? Or, is it someone else?
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Phillies fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Australia’s champion cricket team will be seeking a seventh T20 World Cup triumph from just ten editions on Sunday after producing another dominant performance in a drama-filled semi-final at The Oval on Tuesday.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave an update on Tuesday on an episode of the "Talkin' Yanks" podcast regarding Aaron Judge's timetable from his fractured rib injury, saying it's "probably a couple weeks still from reimaging" while also mentioning that Judge is improving and feels better.
With Judge still a ways away from getting reimaging, that puts him towards the back-end of the four-to-six week timetable he was given after the diagnosis of his injury on June 4.
"They'll determine when they feel like he's doing stuff that [warrants] 'Alright, let's go reimage it now.' We're not at that point yet," Boone said.
Even though Judge isn't cleared to get a reimaging of the fractured rib just yet, his skipper noted that he's "feeling a lot better this week" and continues to work on the lower half of his body.
"He's doing some lower-body stuff now in the weight room and moving better," Boone said.
Once the reimaging is done, the Yankees will have a better sense of how to proceed with Judge's rehab. Still, there's no set schedule at the moment for when he might return and that date could even bleed into August.
Prior to the injury, Judge was slashing .248/.375/.533 with 17 home runs and 38 RBI in 59 games. While he was still having a great season for most players, Judge's numbers were actually down from his career norms and it's fair to wonder if the fractured rib, which likely occurred earlier in the season, was having an affect on the three-time MVP.
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to their only NBA title in 2019. (Photo illustration by Tate Rudisill / Los Angeles Times; photos by Luke Hales / Getty Images, Jason Miller / Getty Images))
A deal to send the seven-time NBA All-Star forward back to Toronto, where he won his second NBA title, has been finalized, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who is not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
The trade — which will net the Clippers All-Star forward Brandon Ingram, shooting guard Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, a pick swap and two second-round picks — marks the end of another promising-but-empty chapter in the franchise’s ringless history.
Leonard, a Moreno Valley native who won his first title with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, joined his hometown Clippers as a highly coveted free agent in 2019 after leading Toronto to its first championship in a classic one-and-done season.
“The front office was very transparent, they want to win,” Leonard said at his introductory Clippers news conference on July 24, 2019. “Just the opportunity for us to build our own, to make history — they haven’t been to a final, haven’t won a final — that was something big and exciting for me to make my decision.”
The Raptors were in the same championship-less boat before Leonard saved them. The Clippers, meanwhile, are still trying to get over the hump.
Leonard averaged 25.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.7 steals over six seasons with the Clippers and was selected to four All-Star teams, four All-NBA teams and two All-Defensive teams. Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points while playing 65 games last season.
Yet most will only remember that Leonard’s tenure in the City of Angels netted zero Larry O’Brien trophies and instead plenty of load management and one ongoing salary cap circumvention investigation. The Clippers, of course, have been accused of paying Leonard $28 million through an endorsement deal with bankrupt sustainability company Aspiration.
Whether there was salary cap circumvention or not, L.A. truly went all-in on its latest bid to win a title to no avail, as encapsulated by the infamous Paul George-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deal that accompanied the launch of the Leonard era.
Unfortunately for the Clippers, Leonard, George and the era’s other big-name players were rarely healthy or at their peaks when the lights were brightest. And in Oklahoma City, Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to its first title and developed into a two-time league MVP, all before his 28th birthday.
Hindsight is 20/20.
The Clippers, though, did come as close to a ring as ever before, reaching the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history in 2021. However, Leonard tore an anterior cruciate ligament during that run and left L.A. and the NBA wondering “What if?” — the everlasting theme of Steve Ballmer’s ownership of the Clippers.
Leonard played at least 65 games just twice over his seven seasons in L.A. and missed the 2021-22 season entirely because of the ACL tear. The Clippers won only three playoff series with Leonard, with no series victories to show for over his final five seasons in L.A.
And in arguably the Clippers’ most healthy playoff run with Leonard — during the 2020 NBA bubble — L.A. blew a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals, spoiling a matchup against the Lakers, the ultimate victors of the COVID-shortened season, in the conference finals.
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard tries to go up for a shot while defended by Warriors guard Stephen Curry during a play-in game in April. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The Clippers had their moments with Leonard, like when he posted a career-best and franchise-record 55 points against the Detroit Pistons in 2025.
If anything, the future Hall of Famer sure appeared to enjoy his time back home, which was a major reason why Leonard initially turned down a royal life in Canada to play for Southern California’s other team.
But it was ultimately time for the two parties to part ways. The Clippers’ window of contention closed a while ago, and Leonard — after turning 35 on Monday — is likely staring down his last shot at a third ring and a lengthy deal with the Raptors.
Besides free agency opening on Tuesday, the timing does add up for Leonard’s trade, as Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has steered the franchise through a refreshing youth movement over the past year.
“Yeah, plan’s still win with Kawhi,” Frank said last week. “But the bigger plan is — we understand we’re not a contender. We’re competitive. How are we going to get back to contention?”
During the 2025-26 season alone, L.A. sent a 40-year-old Chris Paul into retirement; traded 36-year-old guard James Harden to Cleveland for 26-year-old guard Darius Garland; traded 29-year-old center Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers for two first-round picks, a second-round pick, 24-year-old center Isaiah Jackson and 24-year-old guard Bennedict Mathurin; and liked what it saw from up-and-comers such as center Yanic Konan Niederhauser and guards Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller.
And just last week, the Clippers selected 19-year-old Illinois guard Keaton Wagler fifth overall in the draft — via the Zubac trade — instead of packaging the pick for a veteran star.
“You can learn a lot. Like you said, he has a lot of experience,” Wagler said of possibly playing with Leonard. “He’s won championships and played in finals and won a lot of games and played a lot of seasons. Just being able to learn from him and see what it takes to become that caliber of a player.”
Presumably a bummer for Wagler, he and Leonard will not be teammates in L.A.
Leonard’s last game with the Clippers was symbolic of his tenure with the franchise. In a home play-in loss to the Warriors on April 15, L.A. led Golden State for most of that contest — and by as much as 13 — before Leonard and his running mates went cold late, ending their fun season early.
“Let me cry about this loss a little bit more,” Leonard said about his future with the Clippers after that blunder. “We’re going to have our discussions when that time comes.”
Staff writer Broderick Turner contributed to this report.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Tyson Etienne #10 of the Brooklyn Nets gestures after scoring a three-point basket in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Barclays Center on April 05, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Pamela Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the beginning of the NBA’s moratorium period less than 24 hours away, the Brooklyn Nets have officially made decisions on all of their club options.
Chaney Johnson will be back on a two-way contract, and Malachi Smith will be on the team’s training camp roster. Josh Minott and Day’Ron Sharpe, respectively, earned extensions, and Ziaire Williams, Jalen Wilson, and Ochai Agbagi are now unrestricted free agents, the likelhood of their return to Brooklyn at least in question.
According to one league source speaking with ND, the Nets have also declined to extend a QO — qualifying offer to Tyson Etienne, who spent the last two seasons with Brooklyn’s organization, played 24 NBA games last season, and became the Long Island Nets’ all-time leading scorer.
SOURCES: The #Nets did not extend a qualifying offer to Tyson Etienne, I’m told.
Etienne, 26, spent the past two seasons in Brooklyn's organization, appearing in 31 NBA games while becoming the Long Island Nets’ leading scorer.
Etienne, set to turn 27 in December, appeared in 24 NBA games for Brooklyn last season (two starts), while averaging 7.9 points, 1.7 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 15.8 minutes while shooting 40% from the field and knocking down 39.8% of his 3-point attempts.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that Etienne won’t be returning to Brooklyn, but they will not have his restricted rights.
Currently, the Nets have two of their three two-way spots occupied with Chaney Johnson and second-round rookie Tyler Bilodeau, both of whom will play in both summer leagues, the California Classic in Sacramento and the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. The California Classic begins Saturday at 5:00 p.m. ET. It will air on YES and the Gotham Sports Net.
Johnson, 24, played in 17 NBA games for Brooklyn last season (one start) and averaged 8.2 points, 1.4 stocks and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 54.3% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc in 20.5 minutes.
Bilodeau, on the other hand, earned a two-way deal right after being selected at No. 43 overall. Sean Marks & co. have already gathered eight players on rookie contracts and as they have in the recent past, Brooklyn has inked their second round picks to two way deals to save on roster spots and cap space. Two-ways can be active on NBA rosters for up to 50 games before their teams have to either convert them to standard deals or waive them.
While it isn’t yet certain, the expectation is that Grant Nelson, still rehabbing from patellar tendinitis, which cut his season short, will earn the Nets’ final two-way spot.
Before the injury, he thrived on a minutes restriction with the Long Island Nets, averaging 24 points and 12 rebounds per 36 minutes, prompting him to earn a 10-day contract with Brooklyn.
On a 10-day contract, he played 35 minutes, tallying 17 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three blocks. It was initially a surprise that he didn’t get a second 10-day before the news of his injury came out.
As he continues to rehab, he will not play in either Summer League; but he is on the Nets Summer League roster and will be with the team, unlike Nolan Traoré, who won’t after getting his knee scoped recently.
With one two-way still available, Nelson’s recovery process leading up to training camp will be something Nets fans should certainly monitor.
In addition to the three two-ways, the Nets had signed at least three undrafted players to Exhibit 10 deals which virtually assures they too will be spending time on Long Island after a stint in training camp come October. All three are also on the Summer League roster.
Brian Lewis reported that the Nets had signed Dion Brown a 6’3” guard who most recently played for St. Louis University and Jon Chepkevich of Draft Express reported Ben Humrichous, a 6’9” combo forward who came off the bench for Illinois last year. Finally, Dylan Johnson of TheVillanovan, the student newspaper, reported Wildcat center Duke Brennan will be joining the Nets.
New York Mets relief pitcher David Peterson delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, June 21, 2026, in Philadelphia.
David Peterson penned a heartfelt goodbye to the Mets.
The All-Star southpaw took to Instagram to thank the organization, his teammates and fans after his time in Queens came to an end.
“From draft day to my last pitch as a Met, I am grateful to have worn the Mets uniform,” Peterson wrote, adding that the organization gave him the chance to live out his “lifelong dream.”
Cubs’ David Peterson winds up to deliver during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, June 27, 2026. AP Photo/Aaron Gash
Peterson also thanked the front office, coaches, teammates, trainers, clubhouse staff and support staff, writing that the relationships he built with the Mets “will last a lifetime.”
“It was an honor and a privilege to be a New York Met!” he wrote.
Peterson was traded to the Cubs last week in exchange for minor-league infielder Cole Mathis, who was the No. 13 prospect in the franchise’s farm system.
He made his Chicago debut on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings after giving up a leadoff home run to the Brewers’ Jackson Chourio on his first pitch in a Cubs uniform.
New York Mets relief pitcher David Peterson delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, June 21, 2026, in Philadelphia. AP Photo/Chris Szagola
“Some shock in the moment…I feel good, healthy. I went through some things early in the year I needed to clean up,” Peterson said, per ESPN. “[Feel] better now. Feel like myself back in ’24 and ’25.”
Peterson lost his role in the Mets’ starting rotation earlier this season after posting a 6.09 ERA through 68 innings.
He was the longest-tenured Met before the deal, spending his entire big league career with the franchise since debuting in 2020.
The Cubs were in desperate need of starting pitching, having lost Edward Cabrera and Ben Brown, who joined three other starters on the injured list, in recent days.
Raptors
